Letters to the Editor - Aug. 8

August 08, 2011

Be aware of addictions that can take control of your life

To the editor:

I’m 88 years old now and in good health and glad I was able to quit smoking cigarettes at age 35. I think addiction to anything in life is something that happens to a person before they realize they are addicted. After we become an addict, it’s too late to be aware of the danger of it.

It’s probably one of the worst things that we are prone to be caught up in, because it can ruin one’s life and others around us. Listen, I’ve seen it happen to people and it’s really a sad situation.

If only we could be aware of this early in life and not allow ourselves to be a victim of addiction of any kind. We should teach our children early on about the importance of a good healthy lifestyle, telling them the danger of addiction that everyone is prone to. If we are not aware, it can happen to us.

I know once I was able to quit smoking, it was then very important to me to try very hard never to be shackled by something like that again. So, my advice to you is to be aware of addiction and guard against becoming an addict. Also, if you think you are addicted now to anything you can’t control, get help now and possibly save your life.

Jack MyersHagerstown

Now is not the time to balance the budget

To the editor:

We are rapidly approaching the bottom of the business cycle. Business is depressed, especially the construction business, which is a major prop under the economy. If the government does not stimulate construction, the depression will worsen. Business alone cannot cure the depression.

Demand (money in the hands of those who will spend it) makes the economic engine run. Supply-side economics is a bad joke, because it fails to stimulate demand. Cutting government expenditures at this point reduces demand. This is not the time to balance the budget. That should be done when the economy is at its best.

I am sure President Obama understands this. I am equally sure that the Republicans do not want to understand this and will cut Uncle Sam’s nose to spite his face and President Obama.